Lighting Control Method and Device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for controlling an illumination device, such as a light bulb, LED light, or the like. In one embodiment, a lighting control adapter is described, comprising a male base for physically attaching the lighting control adapter to a light fixture and for receiving power from the light fixture via a light switch connected to the light fixture, a female socket for receiving a base of an illumination device, a switching circuit for providing switchable power to the illumination device, and a processing circuit coupled to the switching circuit, for detecting one or more power toggles of the power received by the male base, and for controlling illumination of the illumination device based on the detection of one or more detected toggles.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of electrical lighting, andmore specifically to improved methods to control electric lighting.

BACKGROUND

The basic components of a typical lighting application consist ofplurality of lights controlled by a single switch. In such anapplication, all of the lights controlled by the switch are turned ON orOFF simultaneously. This results in several drawbacks, such as wastedenergy, unnecessary dispersion of light, and excessive brightness atnight.

Methods have been suggested to provide more flexibility to grouplighting arrangements due to their inability to be turned ON/OFFindividually. These methods include installing additional light/dimmerswitches, installation of wireless remote-controlled apparatus/lightfixtures, or timer/motion activated adapters, which in general arecostly or simply do not work well in real world applications.

It would be desirable to control lights individually in an existinggroup of lights that are operated in tandem with one another withouthaving to install additional light switches, or otherwise purchaseexpensive after-market products that often to not provide the benefitfor which they are intended.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for controllingan illumination device, such as a light bulb, LED light, or the like. Inone embodiment, a lighting control adapter comprising, a male base forphysically attaching the lighting control adapter to a light fixture andfor receiving power from the light fixture via a light switch connectedto the light fixture, a female socket for receiving a base of anillumination device, a switching circuit for providing switchable powerto the illumination device, and the processing circuit, coupled to theswitching circuit, for detecting one or more power toggles of the powerreceived by the male base, and for controlling illumination of theillumination device based on the detection of one or more detectedtoggles.

In another embodiment, an electrical lighting control circuit isdescribed, comprising an input for receiving voltage from a lightswitch, an output for energizing or de-energizing an illuminationdevice, a memory for storing a first number of cyclic voltage changesneeded to energize the illumination device, a switching circuit coupledto the output for switchably providing the voltage to the illuminationdevice, and a processing circuit coupled to the switching circuit, fordetecting one or more cyclic changes in the voltage received by theinput, and for providing a signal to the switching circuit for theswitching circuit to energize the illumination device if a number ofcyclic voltage changes are detected that match the first number ofcyclic voltage changes stored in the memory.

Various advantages of this invention will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following detailed description of thevarious and preferred embodiments, when read in light of theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional light applicationwhere one light switch controls a group of fixtures;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing how the present invention is to beinstalled onto a conventional light fixture;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the malebase and the user interface switches;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the programming procedure of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a lookup table used for programming depicted in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a three-switch user interface switch set to programmable modewith all switches set to “ON” position and to “OFF” position depicted inphantom;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the present invention with a single userinterface switch;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the present invention with a three-switch userinterface switch;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the present invention integrated aspart of a CFL light bulb;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present invention integrated aspart of a linear fluorescent tube lamp; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic of one embodiment of a toggle detection circuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various and preferredembodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to representthe only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description setsforth the various functions in connection with the illustratedembodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that the same orequivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments thatare also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the presentdisclosure

With reference to FIG. 1, there is depicted a typical, prior artlighting application consisting, in this example, of three lightfixtures 101 controlled by a single light switch 100. Light switch 100is typically a single-pole-single-throw (SPST) switch, which connects,interrupts, or disconnects power to one or more devices connectedthereto, such as the three light fixtures 101.

When light switch 100 is turned ON by a user, a switch contact insidelight switch 100 is closed, allowing a current to flow through each ofthe light fixtures, thereby illuminating a respective illuminationdevice, such as a light bulb, installed into each of the light fixtures.The term “illumination device” may refer to any light-emitting device,such as an incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent light bulb, an LEDlight bulb, or almost any light-emitting device that uses electricity inorder to provide illumination. In this arrangement, all three lights areilluminated by turning the light switch 100 ON, and all three lights areextinguished when the light switch 100 is turned OFF. There is no way toturn only one or two lights ON or OFF.

With reference to FIG. 2, there is an exploded view of one embodiment ofa lighting control adapter 200 in accordance with the teachings herein.Shown are a male base 201, a female socket 207, and an optional userinterface 205. The lighting control adapter 200 is installed intofixture base 102, which is controlled by light switch 100, and used toenergize and de-energize illumination device 103. Fixture base 102 istypically comprised in an existing light fixture commonly found in homesand businesses for receiving light bulbs and providing home and/orbusiness illumination. The lighting control adapter 200 is used tocontrol illumination device 103 using techniques that will be explainedin detail later herein.

Lighting control adapter 200 is installed into an existing fixture base102 typically by threading male base 201 into the female socket 204 ofthe fixture base 102. Male base 201 typically comprises threads thatmate with grooves formed inside of female socket 204. However, in otherembodiments, male base 201 may comprise other well-known mechanisms thatallow male base 201 to connect to female socket 204. In certainembodiments, the male base 201 and the female socket 204 comprises ascrew-cap type fitting with various size options, such as, but notlimited to, E10, E14, E26 and E27. In other embodiments, the male base201 and female socket 207 is a combination of, but not limited to,bayonets, Edison screw-cap, or GU24 type fittings. The optional userinterface 205 allows a user to select whether the illumination device103 turns ON or OFF during an initial power up from a light switch 100and may further be used to program lighting control adapter 200 toenergize and de-energize illumination device 103 as lighting controladapter 200 senses one or more cyclic voltage changes within apredetermined time period, herein referred to as a “power toggle”. Acyclic voltage change may be defined as a transition from a firstvoltage to a second voltage and then back to the first voltage within apredetermined time period, typically on the order of several hundredmilliseconds. In one embodiment, a cyclic voltage change is defined as avoltage changing from “high” voltage (e.g., 120 VAC) to “low” voltage(zero VAC) and back to “high” voltage within 500 milliseconds.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is depicted a functional block diagramof one embodiment of the lighting control adapter 200. In anotherembodiment, the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 3 representselectrical lighting circuitry that may be used in a variety ofembodiments. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows male base 201, power circuit302, processing circuit 303, memory 304, user interface 205, switchingcircuit 306, and female socket 207. It should be understood that not allof the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 are required for operation oflighting control adapter 200 and that the functional blocks may beconnected to one another in variety of ways.

Male base 201 is used to physically secure lighting control adapter 200to a mating socket with a power source, thereby providing a source ofpower to lighting control adapter 200, typically in the form of analternating current at 120 volts. Male base 201 is typically installedinto a common, existing light socket found ubiquitously in virtuallyevery modern structure. Male base 201 typically comprises threads thatare used to mate with grooves formed inside of female socket 207. Femalesocket 207 typically comprises internal grooves for physically securingillumination device 103 to lighting control adapter 200 and forselectively providing power to illumination device 103.

Power circuit 302 may be used to convert high voltage received via malebase 201 to a lower operating voltage for use by other components, suchas memory 304 and/or processing circuit 303. In another embodiment,these other components are powered by a battery, for example, one ormore AA batteries. In this case, voltage received via male base 201 isnot used to power internal components of lighting control adapter 200.Power circuit 302 may comprise any known methods of converting voltagefrom one value to another, such as a transformer, a bridge rectifier,one or more capacitors, and/or one or more voltage dividing circuits.Non-limiting examples of power circuit 302 comprise an AC to DCconverter and/or a voltage regulator. Furthermore, power circuit 302 maycomprise a voltage sustaining circuit, which provides a temporary sourceof power for other components of lighting control adapter 200, such asprocessing circuit 303, to continue its operation during power toggles.Such voltage sustaining circuitry is well known in the art and maycomprise a capacitor.

Processing circuit 303 is configured to provide general operation oflighting control adapter 200 including detecting power as it isinitially applied to male base 201, detecting power toggles, andinstructing switching circuit 306 when to energize or de-energizeillumination device 103. In one embodiment, processing circuit 303comprises a microprocessor or microcontroller for executingprocessor-readable instructions stored in memory 304. One example ofsuch a processor is a PIC12C508 microcontroller manufactured byMicrochip, Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. However, in other embodiments,processing circuit 303 could comprise one or more discreet circuitsand/or integrated circuits, such as one or more transistors, flip-flops,logic circuits, etc. Such circuitry/components are well known to thoseskilled in the art. For example, in one embodiment, a typical “D”flip-flop could be used as shown. In this arrangement, when power isfirst applied to male base 201, low-voltage power is initially appliedto Vcc, either by a battery (not shown) or from power circuit 302, andthe Q output is put into a “high” state, representing a digital “1”, dueto the SET input of the flip flop being coupled to Vcc. The Q output iscoupled to the switching circuit 306, where the digital “1” may causethe switching circuit 306 to apply power to illumination device 103. Ifpower is toggled via light switch 100, the voltage will change at flipflop CLOCK input from “high” to “low” then back to “high”. If the toggledoes not occur fast enough, the low-voltage power may be lost at Vcc,causing a reset of the flip flop. The speed at which the toggle mustoccur may be dictated by a voltage/current storage device, such as acapacitor or an inductor. If the toggle does occur fast enough, the Qoutput changes from “high” to “low”, causing the switching circuit tode-energize the illumination device 103. Each subsequent power togglecauses the Q output to change state, i.e., change from “high” to “low”or “low” to “high” and, in turn, causing switching circuit 306 to eitherenergize or de-energize illumination device 103.

Processing circuit 303 may detect power toggles occurring at male base201 by sensing a reduced voltage proportional to the voltage at malebase 201, provided by power circuit 302. In this embodiment, processingcircuit 303 may use threshold crossing techniques, voltage levelcomparisons, or other techniques known in the art to determine when apower toggle has occurred, in conjunction with timing information todetermine if a cyclic voltage change occurring at male base 201 hasoccurred within a predetermined time period. The reduced voltage may beproportional to the voltage present at male base 201. Processing circuit303 may determine the occurrence of power toggles indirectly, byreceiving a signal from some other component of lighting control adapter200, such as power circuit 302, that is tasked for determining cyclicvoltage changes occurring at male base 201. In yet another embodiment,processing circuit 303 may receive one or more signals from some othercomponent(s) indicative of the voltage provided to male base 201. Forexample, a transformer may be used to provide a stepped-down voltage toan input of processing circuit 303, so that processing circuitry detectspower toggles. Processing circuit 303, of course, could use one or moreother well-known methods to detect power toggles.

Memory 304 comprises one or more information storage devices, such asRAM, ROM, EEPROM, UVPROM, flash memory, Memory Stick, SD memory, XDmemory, thumb drive, or virtually any other type of memory device.Memory 304 is used to store the processor-readable instructions foroperation of lighting control adapter 200 as well as any informationused by processing circuit 303, such as a table of switch positions andassociated actions to either energization or de-energizationillumination device 103 (an example of such shown in FIG. 6) and/or oneor more predetermined time periods, such as a predetermined time periodfor determining if a power toggle has occurred (e.g., a maximum timeperiod during which voltage is cycled from high voltage to low/novoltage and back to high voltage at male base 201). In one embodiment,memory 304 comprises one or more discreet circuits and/or integratedcircuits, such as one or more transistors, flip-flops, etc. Suchcircuitry/components are well known to those skilled in the art and canbe configured to store information pertaining to the lighting controladapter 200 settings.

In another embodiment, memory 304 is not used, and the predeterminedtime period to declare a power toggle may be inherently defined by atime needed to de-energize one or more of the components of lightingcontrol adapter 200, such as processing circuit 303. For example, thepower circuit 302 may comprise a capacitor that is charged when voltageis applied to male base 201 for any length of time. The capacitor mayprovide a temporary source of power to processing circuit 303 and othercomponents during a power toggle if the low/no voltage time periodduring power toggles does not exceed the predetermined time period,typically on the order of tens or hundreds of milliseconds. Thepredetermined time period may be related to an RC time constant as afunction of a value of the capacitor and the resistive load of theprocessing circuit 303 and other components receiving the temporarypower. During a cyclic voltage change, if the time that the voltage atmale base 201 is in the no/low voltage state for less than the timeperiod, the processing circuit will consider the cyclic voltage changeto be a power toggle. If the no/low voltage state is maintained for atime period greater than the predetermined time period, the processingcircuit 303 will turn OFF and reset.

User interface 205 may be used to program lighting control adapter 200.Programming may comprise instructing lighting control adapter 200whether to supply power to illumination device 103 or not when lightswitch 100 is initially turned to the “ON” position, and/or how lightingcontrol adapter 200 energizes, re-energizes, de-energizes, or keepsde-energized power to female socket 207 as one or more power toggles aredetected. The term “re-energize” may refer to energizing illuminationdevice 103 from a de-energized state during power toggles. For example,in some embodiments, if illumination device 103 is in an energized stateprior to a power toggle, illumination device 103 may briefly lose powerduring the “OFF” period of a power toggle, because power to male base201 is briefly interrupted by light switch 100 during power toggles. Aspower is re-applied to male base 201 during the transition from “nopower” to “power” during a power toggle, the illumination device 103 isre-energized by lighting control adapter 200 from a brief period ofde-energization to an energized state.

With regard to initial operation of lighting control adapter 200 whenlight switch 100 is first turned ON, user interface 205 may provide anindication to processing circuit 303 of whether to energize or keep theillumination device 103 de-energized upon application of an initialvoltage to lighting control adapter 200 via light switch 100, forexample, when turning light switch 100 from the “OFF” position to the“ON” position. In another embodiment, lighting control adapter 200 ismanufactured to turn ON at the first instance of power applied to it bylight switch 100 by default, and user interface 205 is not used instructprocessing circuit 303 whether to energize or de-energize illuminationdevice 103 upon the application of initial power from light switch 100.

With regard to operation of lighting control adapter 200 as powertoggles are detected after initial power has been applied to lightingcontrol adapter 200, user interface 205 may allow a user to programlighting control adapter 200 to energize, re-energize, de-energize,and/or keep de-energized illumination device 103 as power toggles aredetected. Programming may comprise setting user interface 205 to adesired position, indicating a number of toggles needed to energizeand/or de-energize the illumination device 103. For example, if userinterface 205 comprises a DIP switch having 2 ON-OFF switches, a totalof 4 combinations of positions are possible. If each switch is placedinto the “ON” position (e.g., a “fourth” position), it may indicate toprocessing circuit 303 that the lighting control adapter 200 shouldenergize (or re-energize) illumination device 103 upon detection of 4power toggles after light switch 100 is turned to the “ON” position.Conversely, user interface 205 may be used to indicate to processingcircuit 303 a number of power toggles needed to de-energize (or keepde-energized) the illumination device 103.

Alternatively, or in addition to the above, user interface 205 may beused to place lighting control adapter 200 into a mode of operationwhere lighting control adapter 200 may be “remotely” programmed viapower toggles, e.g., a user does not have to physically access lightingcontrol adapter 200 in order to program lighting control adapter 200.For example, a user may install the lighting control adapter 200 in ahard-to-reach location such as high ceiling or fixtures with securedcovers. This mode of operation may be referred to herein as the “remoteprogramming capability mode”. The remote programming capability mode maybe configured upon setting user interface 205 into a predeterminedstate, such as all switches being placed into the “ON” position, allswitches being placed in the “OFF” position, as shown in FIG. 7,alternating the switches between ON and OFF, or some other combination.Thereafter, if processing circuit 303 detects a predetermined number ofpower toggles within a predetermined time period, lighting controladapter 200 enters a programming mode, where lighting control adapter200 may be set to energize or de-energize illumination device 103 basedon a number of power toggles detected after entering the programmingmode. For example, after user interface 205 has been placed into aposition indicating remote capability programming mode, a user mayprogram lighting control adapter 200 by first applying initial power tolighting control adapter 200 via light switch 100, then toggling lightswitch 100 five times within a period of two seconds. Processing circuit303 detects the power toggles and in response, may cause theillumination device 103 to blink one or more times, e.g., turn OFF, thenback ON within a short time period such as one second, indicating thatlighting control adapter 200 is ready to be programmed. Subsequently,the user may toggle light switch 100 a number of times indicative of thenumber of power toggles needed to turn the illumination device 103 ON orOFF. After a brief delay, such as three seconds, processing circuit 303may cause the illumination device 103 to blink one or more times again,indicating successful receipt of the programming instructions, e.g., anumber of power toggles needed to turn illumination device 103 ON orOFF. Lighting control adapter 200 may then automatically exit theprogramming mode and monitor the voltage from power circuit 302 todetect power toggles.

User interface 205 typically comprises one or more ON/OFF switches suchas, but not limited to, one or more individual switches, a dual in-linepackage (DIP) switch comprising one or more ON/OFF switches, one or morerotary switches, one or more push button switches, one or more reedswitches (controlled by bringing a magnet in proximity to the reedswitch), infra-red operated switch, or almost any variety of switchtype. In some embodiments, user interface 205 comprises two or moredifferent kinds of switches. For example, a first pushbutton switchcould be used to set lighting control adapter 200 to turn ONillumination device 103 when power is first applied to lighting controladapter 200, while a rotary switch is used to provide a code toprocessing circuit 303, instructing processing circuit 303 when to applyand remove power to/from illumination device 103 as power toggles aredetected.

In an embodiment where user interface 205 comprises one or more ON/OFFswitches, each switch either applies or removes a relatively lowvoltage, such as 5 volts DC to processing circuit 303. The combinationof “1's” and “0's” applied to processing circuit 303 via the switches isa code that processing circuit 303 uses to determine when to apply powerto illumination device 103.

For example, in an embodiment using 3 switches in a DIP switcharrangement, a total of 8 possible combinations are possible from theDIP switch. Codes 000 and 111 may be reserved to instruct processingcircuit 303 to enter the remote programming capability mode, while codes001 through 110 may each instruct processing circuit 303 when to applyand remove power to/from illumination device 103. For example, the farleft switch shown in FIG. 4, representing the far left digit of a3-digit code, may indicate whether power should be applied toillumination device 103 upon initial power from light switch 100 or not.Switches 2 and 3 represent 4 possible combinations of outputs (2²).Thus, if switch 2 is set to a digital “1” and switch 3 set to digital“0”, power may be applied to illumination device 103 upon processingcircuit 303 detecting 2 power toggles (10_(Base2)=2_(Base10)) afterpower is initially applied to lighting control adapter 200 via lightswitch 100.

According to another embodiment, each switch of user interface 205 isused individually to instruct processing circuit 303 whether to applypower to illumination device 103 or not. FIG. 6 shows a table of switchpositions and their associated preconfigured ON/OFF sequences thateffect energization/de-energization of illumination device 103. Thepreconfigured ON/OFF sequence determines whether the load turns ON orOFF during initial power up and in the event of a power toggle sensedthereafter. In this particular embodiment, user interface 205 comprisesa three-switch DIP switch, as shown in FIG. 4. In this particularembodiment, the first switch of the DIP switch determines ifillumination device 103 will turn ON or remain OFF when light switch 100is initially placed into the “ON” position. Illumination device 103 willremain ON or OFF as long as the light switch 100 is in the “ON”position.

The second and third switches of the DIP switch, in this embodiment,determine if the illumination device 103 will turn ON or OFF upon thedetection of one or more power toggles by processing circuit 303. Forexample, if the second switch is set to “OFF” and the third switch isset to “ON” positions, either Mode 1 or Mode 5 is selected, as shown inthe chart of FIG. 6, depending on whether lighting control adapter 200is programmed to provide power to illumination device 103 upon initialpower from light switch 100 (Mode 5) or not (Mode 1). If in Mode 1,power is not supplied to illumination device 103 upon initial power fromlight switch 100, i.e., placing light switch 100 into an “ON” position.Upon detection of a first power toggle by processing circuit 303, e.g.,a user turning light switch 100 from the “ON” position to the “OFF”position and then back to the “ON” position within a predetermined timeperiod, which causes voltage sensed at male base 201 to change from highvoltage to low or no voltage, and back to high voltage, power is stillnot applied to illumination device 103, in accordance with Mode 1 in thecolumn labeled “1^(st) Toggle”. Upon detection of a subsequent powertoggle by processing circuit 303, power is applied to illuminationdevice 103 as shown in Mode 1, in the column marked “2^(nd) Toggle”. Ifprocessing circuit 303 detects a third power toggle, the cycle willrepeat with power being removed from illumination device 103, asindicated in Mode 1, in the column marked “1^(st) Toggle”. In anotherembodiment, after a third power toggle is detected, the cycle repeats byfollowing the instruction in the column marked “Switch ON”.

The switching circuit 306 is used to receive one or more signals fromprocessing circuit 303 to energize, re-energize, de-energize, and/orkeep de-energized illumination device 103, using circuitry that is wellknown in the art, such as one or more transistors, relays, triacs, etc.In one embodiment, voltage received at male base 201 is applied tofemale socket 207 upon receipt of an energization signal from processingcircuit 303. In another embodiment, a different voltage is applied tofemale socket 207, such as a reduced voltage and/or a DC voltagesupplied by power circuit 302.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is depicted a lighting control adapter200 having a male base 201 and a user interface 205. More specifically,the lighting control adapter 200 is shown with a screw base male base201, typically E27 or E26 and a three-switch DIP switch as userinterface 205.

In one embodiment, user interface is not used. In this embodiment, thelighting control adapter 200 is manufactured, by default, to be in theremote programming capability mode or preconfigured to settings such as,but not limited to, modes depicted in FIG. 6)

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating one method for “remote” programmingof lighting control adapter 200, as opposed to using user interface 205to program lighting control adapter 200 during initial power-up and/oras power toggles are detected. This method may be desirable in caseswhere lighting control adapter 200 is installed into hard-to-reach orhard-to-access light fixtures, for example, a light fixture locatedwithin a high ceiling where a ladder is required to access lightingcontrol adapter 200. The method is implemented by processing circuit 303executing processor-executable instructions stored in memory 304, or itmay be implemented in hardware without the use of a microprocessorand/or memory, or a combination of both. It should be understood that insome embodiments, not all of the steps shown in FIG. 5 are performed,and/or the order in which the steps are carried out may be different. Itshould be further understood that some minor method steps have beenomitted for purposes of clarity.

At block 500, user interface 205 is placed into a predetermined positionthat indicates a desire by a user to place lighting control adapter 200into the remote programming capability mode. For example, all switchesof a multi-switch user interface could be placed in the “1” or “ON”position, and/or be placed in the “0” of “OFF” position. In anembodiment where lighting control adapter 200 lacks user interface 205,lighting control adapter 200 may be manufactured and/or configured tothe remote programming capability mode, and block 500 may not need to beperformed.

At block 502, a user of lighting control adapter 200 installs lightingcontrol adapter 200 into light fixture 102, such as an existing lightfixture or socket, and further installs illumination device 103 intofemale socket 207. It is assumed that power to the light fixture 102 isOFF, and that power to light fixture 102 is controlled by light switch100.

At block 504, after installation, initial power is applied to lightingcontrol adapter 200 via light switch 100 being placed into an “ON”position. Processing circuit 303 may apply power to illumination device103, via switching circuit 306, in accordance with lighting controladapter 200 being previously programmed.

At block 506, processing circuit 303 enters a programming mode afterdetecting a number of power toggles received by male base 201 equal to apredetermined number of toggles needed to place lighting control adapter200 into a programming mode. The number of power toggles needed to placelighting control adapter 200 into the programming mode may be stored inmemory 304. The programming mode allows a user to set the number oftoggles needed to turn illumination device 103 ON or OFF after initialpower has been applied to lighting control adapter 200. In oneembodiment, upon entering the programming mode, processing circuit 303causes illumination device 103 to “cycle”, e.g., turn OFF and then ONwithin a predetermined time period, one or more times to indicate thatlighting control adapter 200 has successfully entered the programmingmode, awaiting programming instructions from the user via power toggles.

Once in the programming mode, a user can refer to the table of FIG. 6for a desired sequence to control illumination of illumination device103 based on initial power ON and subsequent power cycles. Although thetable in FIG. 6 illustrates six possible modes of operation for a userinterface comprising three switches, it should be understood that fewer,or a greater, number of modes could be defined in the alternative,related to the number of switches used in user interface 205. Forexample, if user interface 205 comprises 2 switches, a total of 4possible combinations are possible. If one of the combinations isreserved for programming mode, 3 modes of operation could be defined.

The table in FIG. 6 illustrates the state of lighting control adapter200 at initial power up, and after one or more power toggles aredetected by processing circuit 303. For example, the user may selectMode 4, where the table indicates that lighting control adapter 200 willoperate to turn illumination device 103 ON after application of initialpower from light switch 100, will turn illumination device 103 OFF upondetection of a first power toggle, and will keep illumination device 103turned OFF upon detection of a second power toggle detected. In oneembodiment, upon the occurrence of a third power toggle, lightingcontrol adapter 200 performs the instruction found in the column labeled“Switch ON”, where the cycle repeats for detection of fourth or morepower toggles detected.

At block 508, once the user has selected one of the modes in the table,the user toggles light switch 100 from the “ON” position to the “OFF”position and back to the “ON” position within a short time frame, forexample 3 seconds, in order to program lighting control adapter 200 inaccordance with the selected mode of operation. In another embodiment,the number of ON-OFF-ON cycles indicates a number of power togglesneeded to turn the illumination device 103 ON or OFF. Toggling lightswitch 100 toggles power to lighting control adapter 200, which isdetected by processing circuit 303. For example, in one embodiment wherea user has selected Mode 3, the user may toggle light switch 100 threetimes.

In one embodiment, after a brief delay, such as three seconds,processing circuit 303 may cause the illumination device 103 to blink,or cycle power, one or more times, indicating successful receipt of theprogramming instructions, e.g., a number of power toggles needed to turnillumination device 103 ON or OFF. Lighting control adapter 200 may thenautomatically exit the programming mode and monitor the voltage frompower circuit 302 to detect power toggles.

In another embodiment, processing circuit 303 may provide an indicationto the user that the programming instructions were received successfullyby cycling power to illumination device 103 in accordance with the modenumber selected or in accordance with the number of power toggles neededto turn illumination device 103 ON or OFF. Thus, in this embodiment, ifmode 3 was chosen by the user, processing circuit 303 causesillumination device 103 to turn OFF then ON three times. Thereafter,illumination device 103 is controlled in accordance with the informationof the table shown in FIG. 6 and stored in memory 304 as subsequentinitial power and power toggles are detected by processing circuit 303.

At block 510, processing circuit 303 detects that the user has toggledpower to lighting control adapter 200 a number of times and determineshow to energize, re-energize, de-energize, and/or keep de-energizedillumination device 103 in accordance with the number of power togglesdetected and mode selected by the user, or by the number of times neededto turn illumination device 103 ON or OFF. Memory 304 stores informationrelating to the table in FIG. 6, so that when processing circuit 303determines a particular mode of operation via the detected power togglesapplied to lighting control adapter 200, it energizes, re-energizes,de-energizes, and/or keeps de-energized illumination device 103 inaccordance with the instructions in the table of FIG. 6, stored inmemory 304.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another method for controllingillumination of illumination device 103 in an embodiment where userinterface 205 comprises a single, two-position switch. The method isimplemented by processing circuit 303 executing processor-executableinstructions stored in memory 304, or it may be implemented in hardwarewithout the use of a microprocessor and/or memory, or a combination ofboth. It should be understood that in some embodiments, not all of thesteps shown in FIG. 8 are performed, and/or the order in which the stepsare carried out may be different. It should be further understood thatsome minor method steps have been omitted for purposes of clarity.

At block 800, a user of lighting control adapter 200 installs lightingcontrol adapter 200 into light fixture 102, such as an existing lightfixture or socket, and further installs illumination device 103 intofemale socket 207. It is assumed that power to the light fixture 102 isOFF, and that power to light fixture 102 is controlled by light switch100.

At block 802, the user programs lighting control adapter 200 either byplacing user interface 205 into, in this embodiment, into an “ON”position, which provides a relatively low voltage to processing circuit303 after power has been applied to lighting control adapter 200, or byremote programming as described by the flow chart of FIG. 5. In thisembodiment, placing the switch to the “ON” position is an indication toprocessing circuit 303 that the user would like the lighting controladapter 200 to provide power to illumination device 103 upon an initialsupply of power from light switch 100. In an alternative embodiment,turning the switch to the “ON” position is an indication to processingcircuit 303 that the user would like the lighting control adapter 200keep illumination device 103 OFF upon an initial supply of power fromlight switch 100 to lighting control adapter 200. The state of the userinterface may be stored by processing circuit 303 in memory 304.

At block 804, the user applies power to lighting control adapter 200,typically in the form of 120 VAC, by turning light switch 100 to the“ON” position. This causes power circuit 302 to supply one or morelow-voltages to components within lighting control adapter 200, such asprocessing circuit 303, memory 304, etc.

At block 806, processing circuit 303 determines whether to turnillumination device 103 ON or to keep it OFF, by determining the stateof user interface 205, in this case, in the “ON” position. In anembodiment where lighting control adapter 200 does not have a userinterface 205, processing circuit 303 reads memory 304 to determinewhether to energize illumination device 103 when initial power has beensupplied to lighting control adapter 200 or not.

At block 808, processing circuit 303 determines whether power should beapplied to illumination device 103 or not, based on the state of userinterface 205 and/or by the result of reading memory 304 at block 806.In one embodiment, the determination is accomplished by processingcircuit 303 accessing memory 304, which stores an indication of whetheran ON state of user interface 205 should result in power being appliedto illumination device 103 upon initial power being applied to lightingcontrol adapter 200. In another embodiment, the determination is preset.In other words, lighting control adapter 200 is configured to applypower to illumination device 103 upon initial power from light switch100 if the user interface 205 indicates it is in either the “ON” or“OFF” position, configurable during the design and/or manufacturingprocess, or by user programming.

If processing circuit 303 determines that power should be applied toillumination device 103 based on the state of user interface 205 and/ora reading of memory 304, then processing continues to block 810, whereprocessing circuit 303 sends a signal to switching circuit 306 to applypower to illumination device 103. If processing circuit 303 determinesthat power should not be applied to illumination device 103 based on thestate of user interface 205 and/or memory 304, then processing continuesto block 812.

At block 812, processing circuit 303 determines whether any powertoggles have been detected. If a power toggle has been detected,processing continues to block 814, where the illumination state ofillumination device 103 is changed by processing circuit 303 sending asignal to switching circuit 306. For example, if illumination device 103was OFF prior to detection of the power toggle, then processing circuit303 would send a signal to switching circuit 306 that causes switchingcircuit 306 to apply power to illumination device 103. If illuminationdevice 103 was ON prior to detection of the power toggle, thenprocessing circuit 303 would send a signal to switching circuit 306 thatcauses switching circuit 306 to remove power from illumination device103. If a power toggle has not been detected at block 812, processingcircuit 303 continues to wait for a power toggle, shown as repeating toblock 812 in FIG. 8.

Processing then continues back to block 812 to monitor for further powertoggles. If power to lighting control adapter 200 is turned OFF at lightswitch 100, illumination device 103 is extinguished as well.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another method for controllingillumination of illumination device 103 in an embodiment where userinterface 205 comprises three, two-position switches, such as the onefound in FIG. 4. The method is implemented by processing circuit 303executing processor-executable instructions stored in memory 304, or itmay be implemented in hardware without the use of a microprocessorand/or memory, or a combination of both. It should be understood that insome embodiments, not all of the steps shown in FIG. 9 are performed,and/or the order in which the steps are carried out may be different. Itshould be further understood that some minor method steps have beenomitted for purposes of clarity.

At block 900, a user of lighting control adapter 200 installs lightingcontrol adapter 200 into light fixture 102, such as an existing lightfixture or socket, and further installs illumination device 103 intofemale socket 207. It is assumed that power to the light fixture 102 isOFF, and that power to light fixture 102 is controlled by light switch100.

At block 902, the user programs lighting control adapter 200 either byplacing each of the switches into, in this embodiment, into either an“ON” or “OFF” position in accordance with a chosen mode of operation,such as the chart shown in FIG. 6, or by remote programming as describedby the flow chart of FIG. 5. In this embodiment, placing the switchesinto ON and/or “OFF” position provides an indication to processingcircuit 303 of a particular way that power should be supplied to andremoved from illumination device 103 either during initial powerprovided by light switch 100, by sensing power toggles, or both.

At block 904, power is initially applied to lighting control adapter 200via light switch 100, typically in the form of 120 VAC, by turning lightswitch 100 to the “ON” position. This causes power circuit 302 toreceive power from light switch 100 via male base 201. Power circuit 302converts the power from male base 201 into one or more lower voltagesfor use by other components of lighting control adapter 200, such asprocessing circuit 303, memory 304 and/or switching circuit 306.

At block 906, processing circuit 303 determines the state of userinterface 205, in this case the far-left switch in the “ON” position,the center switch in the “OFF” position, and the far-right switch in the“ON” position, indicative of Mode 5 as shown in FIG. 6.

At block 908, processing circuit 303 determines whether the state ofuser interface 205 (far-left switch) is an indication that power shouldbe applied to illumination device 103 or not upon initial application ofpower to lighting control adapter 200. In one embodiment, thedetermination is accomplished by processing circuit 303 accessing memory304, which stores information regarding one or more combinations ofswitch settings and whether power should be supplied to illuminationdevice 103 based on the current switch settings detected by processingcircuit 303. In this example, the first column of the chart of FIG. 6,Mode 5, indicates that power should be supplied to illumination device103 upon initial power up.

If processing circuit 303 determines that power should be applied toillumination device 103 based on the state of user interface 205(far-left switch) and/or information stored in memory 304, thenprocessing continues to block 910, where processing circuit 303 sends asignal to switching circuit 306 to apply power to illumination device103. If processing circuit 303 determines that power should not beapplied to illumination device 103 based on the state of user interface205 (far-left switch), then processing continues to block 912.

At block 912, processing circuit 303 determines whether a power togglehas been detected. If a power toggle has been detected, processingcontinues to block 914, where processing circuit 303 determines whetherthe state of user interface 205 (center switch) is an indication thatpower should be applied to illumination device 103 or not. In oneembodiment, processing circuit 303 determines, from information storedin memory 304, whether power should be supplied to or removed fromillumination device 103. Such information may comprise a state table asshown in FIG. 6. In the present example, column 2 labeled “1^(st)Toggle” in the table in FIG. 6 indicates that power should not beapplied to illumination device 103 after detection of a first toggle,i.e., that illumination device 103 should be extinguished.

At block 916, if processing circuit 303 determines that power should beapplied to illumination device 103 based on the state of user interface205 (center switch) and/or information stored in memory 304, thenprocessing continues to block 918, where processing circuit 303 sends asignal to switching circuit 306 to apply power to illumination device103. If processing circuit 303 determines that power should not beapplied to illumination device 103 based on the state of user interface205 (center switch), then processing continues to block 920.

At block 920, processing circuit 303 determines whether a power togglehas been detected. If a power toggle has been detected, processingcontinues to block 922, where processing circuit 303 determines whetherthe state of user interface 205 (far-right switch) is an indication thatpower should be applied to illumination device 103 or not. In oneembodiment, processing circuit 303 determines, from information storedin memory 304, whether power should be supplied to or removed fromillumination device 103. Such information may comprise a state table asshown in FIG. 6. In the present example, column 2 labeled “2^(nd)Toggle” in the table in FIG. 6 indicates that power should not beapplied to illumination device 103 after detection of a first toggle,i.e., that illumination device 103 should be extinguished.

At block 924, if processing circuit 303 determines that power should beapplied to illumination device 103 based on the state of user interface205 (far-right switch) and/or information stored in memory 304, thenprocessing continues to block 926, where processing circuit 303 sends asignal to switching circuit 306 to apply power to illumination device103. If processing circuit 303 determines that power should not beapplied to illumination device 103 based on the state of user interface205 (far-right switch), then processing continues to block 912.

If another power toggle is detected by processing circuit 303 at block912, information in memory 304 is accessed to determine whether tosupply or remove power to/from illumination device 103. In oneembodiment, processing circuit 303 uses the information in the columnnamed “Switch ON” to determine whether to energize, re-energize,de-energize, or keep de-energized illumination device 103. Thus, if athird power toggle is detected, the “Switch ON” column may be used todetermine a state for illumination device 103, and if a fourth powertoggle is detected, the column named “1^(st) Toggle” may be used todetermine a state for illumination device 103. This process may berepeated ad infinitum, or until the light switch 100 is turned to an“OFF” position, where the method is repeated beginning at block 904.

In another embodiment, the principles discussed thus far could beincorporated directly into an illumination device itself, as shown inFIG. 10, which illustrates an illumination device 1000 in the form of acompact fluorescent lamp (CFL). In other embodiments, the methods andapparatus discussed previously herein could be incorporated into othertypes of illumination devices, such as linear tube lamp (as shown inFIG. 11), incandescent lights, LED lights, fluorescent lights, etc.

In one embodiment, illumination device 1000 comprises user interface1005 described above, a male base 1001, an illuminator 1002, in thisembodiment in the form of a gas-filled tube (in other embodiments, oneor more filaments, LEDs, etc.), and a housing 1003. As before, userinterface 1005 allows the user to select whether illuminator 1002becomes energized (thus generating light) or not during an initialapplication of voltage to male base 1001 and in response to cyclicvoltage changes detected at the male base 1001.

In another embodiment, user interface 1005 is not used. Rather,illumination device 1000 is set into a default programming state duringthe manufacturing/configuring process. When illumination device 1000 isinstalled by a user into a light fixture, the user generally mustprogram illumination device 1000 in accordance with the teachingspreviously discussed herein. In another embodiment where user interface1005 is not used, illumination device 1000 is not programmable. Rather,it is pre-configured during the manufacturing process to either energizethe illuminator 1002 upon application of voltage to male base 1001 andthen de-energize the illuminator 1002 upon detection of a power toggle,or to remain de-energized upon application of voltage to male base 1001and then energize the illuminator 1002 upon detection of a power toggleat male base 1001. The components needed to implement any of theembodiments discussed above may be the same or similar to the circuitsdescribed with respect to FIG. 3.

The methods or algorithms described in connection with the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware or embodied inprocessor-readable instructions executed by a processor. Theprocessor-readable instructions may reside in RAM memory, flash memory,ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, aremovable disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that theprocessor can read information from, and write information to, thestorage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integralto the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in anASIC. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium mayreside as discrete components.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention may comprise anon-transitory processor-readable media embodying code orprocessor-readable instructions to implement the teachings, methods,processes, algorithms, steps and/or functions disclosed herein.

While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative embodiments of theinvention, it should be noted that various changes and modificationscould be made herein without departing from the scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps and/or actionsof the method claims in accordance with the embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein need not be performed in any particular order.Furthermore, although elements of the invention may be described orclaimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation tothe singular is explicitly stated.

1. A lighting control adapter, comprising: a male base for physicallyattaching the lighting control adapter to a light fixture and forreceiving power from the light fixture via a light switch connected tothe light fixture; a female socket for receiving a base of anillumination device; a switching circuit for providing switchable powerto the illumination device; the processing circuit, coupled to theswitching circuit, for detecting one or more power toggles of the powerreceived by the male base, and for controlling illumination of theillumination device based on the detection of one or more of thedetected power toggles; and a user interface coupled to the processingcircuit to indicate a number of toggles needed to energize theillumination device.
 2. The lighting control adapter of claim 1, whereindetection of a power toggle causes the processing circuit to provide asignal to the switching circuit that causes the switching circuit toenergize the illumination device if the illumination device was notenergized prior to the power toggle, or to de-energize the illuminationdevice if the illumination device was energized prior to the powertoggle.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The lighting control adapter of claim 1,wherein a remote programming capability mode is entered by the lightingcontrol adapter when the user interface is placed into a predeterminedposition, the remote programming capability mode for allowing remoteprogramming of the lighting control adapter.
 5. The lighting controladapter of claim 1, further comprising: a memory coupled to theprocessing circuit for storing a first number of power toggles needed toenergize the illumination device; wherein the processing circuitprovides a signal to the switching circuit for the switching circuit toenergize the illumination device if the number of toggles detectedmatches the first number of power toggles stored in the memory.
 6. Thelighting control adapter of claim 1, further comprising: a memorycoupled to the processing circuit for storing an indication of a numberof power toggles needed for the lighting control adapter to enter into aprogramming mode of operation; wherein the processing circuit enters theprogramming mode upon detection of a number of power toggles equal tothe indication.
 7. The lighting control adapter of claim 1, wherein theuser interface is capable of assuming at least two states, wherein: in afirst state, the processing circuit causes the switching circuit toenergize the illumination device when initial power is applied at themale base and to cause the switching circuit to de-energize theillumination device when a power toggle is detected; and in a secondstate, the processing circuit causes the switching circuit to provide nopower to the illumination device when initial power is applied at themale base and to cause the switching circuit to energize theillumination device when a power toggle is detected.
 8. The lightingcontrol adapter of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises atleast two switches, further comprising: wherein the first switchprovides an indication to the processing circuit whether to energize theillumination device via the switching circuit upon initial power appliedto the male base or to keep the illumination device de-energized via theswitching circuit upon initial power applied to the male base; andwherein the second switch provides an indication to the processingcircuit of whether to energize the illumination device via the switchingcircuit or re-energize the illumination device upon detection of a powertoggle or to keep the illumination device de-energized or to de-energizethe illumination device upon detection of the power toggle.
 9. Thelighting control adapter of claim 6, wherein programming the lightingcontrol adapter comprises storing an indication in the memory of anumber of power toggles needed to energize the illumination device. 10.The lighting control adapter of claim 6, wherein programming thelighting control adapter comprises storing an indication in the memoryof a number of power toggles needed to de-energize the illuminationdevice.
 11. The lighting control adapter of claim 1, wherein the userinterface is further configured to cause the lighting control adapter toenter a programming mode of operation if the user interface is placedinto a predetermined configuration.
 12. The lighting control adapter ofclaim 11, further comprising a memory; wherein programming the lightingcontrol adapter comprises storing an indication in the memory of anumber of power toggles needed to energize the illumination device. 13.The lighting control adapter of claim 11, further comprising a memory;wherein programming the lighting control adapter comprises storing anindication in the memory of a number of power toggles needed tode-energize the illumination device.
 14. An electrical lighting controlcircuit, comprising: an input for receiving voltage from a light switch;an output for energizing or de-energizing an illumination device; aswitching circuit coupled to the output for switchably providing thevoltage to the illumination device; a memory configured to store anumber of power toggles needed to either energize or de-energize theillumination device; and a processing circuit coupled to the switchingcircuit for detecting one or more of the power toggles and for providinga signal to the switching circuit for the switching circuit to energizethe illumination device upon detection of a number of power togglesequal to the number of toggles stored in the memory.
 15. The electricallighting control circuit of claim 14, wherein the processing circuitrycompares the number of detected power toggles with the number of powertoggles stored in the memory to determine whether or not to energize orde-energize the illumination device.
 16. The electrical lighting controlcircuit of claim 14, further comprising a user interface for entering anumber of power toggles needed to either energize or de-energize theillumination device, wherein the processing circuit stores the enterednumber of power toggles in the memory.
 17. The electrical lightingcontrol circuit of claim 14, wherein detection of a power toggle causesthe processing circuit to provide a signal to the switching circuit thatcauses the switching circuit to energize the illumination device if theillumination device was not energized prior to the power toggle, or tode-energize the illumination device if the illumination device wasenergized prior to the power toggle.
 18. The electrical lighting controlcircuit of claim 14, wherein the memory is further configured to storean indication of a number of power toggles needed for the electricallighting control circuit to enter into a programming mode of operation;wherein the processing circuit enters the programming mode upondetection of a number of power toggles equal to the indication stored inthe memory.
 19. The electrical lighting control circuit of claim 18,wherein programming the electrical lighting control circuit comprisesstoring an indication in the memory of the number of power togglesneeded to energize the illumination device.
 20. The electrical lightingcontrol circuit of claim 18, wherein programming the electrical lightingcontrol circuit comprises storing an indication in the memory of thenumber of power toggles needed to de-energize the illumination device.21. The electrical lighting control circuit of claim 14, furthercomprising a user interface, wherein a remote programming capabilitymode is configured by the electrical lighting control circuit when theuser interface is placed into a predetermined position, the remoteprogramming capability mode for allowing remote programming of theelectrical lighting control circuit by applying one or more powertoggles to the input.
 22. An illumination device, comprising: an inputfor receiving voltage from a light socket; an illuminator for generatinglight; a switching circuit coupled to the illuminator for switchablyenergizing the illuminator; a processing circuit coupled to theswitching circuit, for detecting one or more power toggles to the inputand for providing a signal to the switching circuit for the switchingcircuit to energize the illuminator upon detection of a power toggle;and a user interface comprising at least two states, wherein: in a firststate, the processing circuit causes the switching circuit to energizethe illuminator when initial power is applied at the male base and tocause the switching circuit to de-energize the illuminator when a powertoggle is detected; and in a second state, the processing circuit causesthe switching circuit to provide no power to the illuminator wheninitial power is applied at the male base and to cause the switchingcircuit to energize the illuminator when a power toggle is detected. 23.The illumination device of claim 22, wherein detection of a power togglecauses the processing circuit to provide a signal to the switchingcircuit that causes the switching circuit to energize the illuminator ifthe illuminator was not energized prior to the power toggle, or tode-energize the illuminator if the illuminator was energized prior tothe power toggle.
 24. (canceled)
 25. An electrical lighting controlcircuit, comprising: an input for receiving voltage from a light switch;an output for energizing or de-energizing an illumination device; aswitching circuit coupled to the output for switchably providing thevoltage to the illumination device; a user interface coupled to theprocessing circuit to indicate a number of toggles needed to energizethe illumination device; and a processing circuit coupled to theswitching circuit for providing a first signal to the switching circuitfor the switching circuit to energize the illumination device upondetection of initial power applied to the input, and for providing asecond signal to the switching circuit that causes the switching circuitto change an illumination state of the illumination device upondetection of a power toggle and in accordance with the number of togglesneeded to energize the illumination device.
 26. The electrical lightingcontrol circuit of claim 25, wherein a first signal to the switchingcircuit causes switching circuit to provide no power to the illuminationdevice upon detection of initial power applied to the input, and asecond signal to the switching circuit causes switching circuit tochange an illumination state of the illumination device upon detectionof a power toggle and in accordance with the number of toggles needed toenergize the illumination device.